What's turning in Daytona Beach come fall sure beats any old leaves. I'm talking about wheels, and that's what it's all about in this race-crazed place. It begins with motorcycle wheels as Biketoberfest® roars into town with thunderous family fun from Main Street to Daytona International Speedway's Kickstand City and beyond.

The need-for-speed excitement zips through the cooler fall months with festivities from car-cruising to competitive running races and a few cultural events for good measure.
You don't have to ride a "hawg" to appreciate the action and machines that stream through the area for four days annually during Biketoberfest, this year Oct. 16-19. As the festival planners like to say, "there's a little biker in all of us," so let out your inner biker as you party to live music all around town.


Turn 1: Wheels & Peel-Outs

You don't have to ride a "hawg" to appreciate the action and machines that stream through the area for four days annually during Biketoberfest, this year Oct. 16-19. As the festival planners like to say, "there's a little biker in all of us," so let out your inner biker as you party to live music all around town.

Main Street, which runs right into Daytona's famous beach, is entertainment headquarters – including its classic bike show – but the celebration spreads to Ponce Inlet to the south, Ormond Beach to the north, and the International Speedway, which hosts motorcycle races, demo rides, and more, to the west.

Oct. 24-26, Daytona Beach debuts the latest of its wheel-spinning events called Daytona Beach Dream Cruise. Here you're going to see more cool, tricked-out cars and trucks than you've ever experienced in one place on one weekend.

Then over Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 27-30, Daytona Beach Street Rods presents one of the hugest car shows in the country. Now in its 35th year, the Daytona Turkey Run fills Daytona International Speedway for swapping, noshing and admiring. And don't miss the Hot Rods on Main Street show and competition on the beach Saturday night that same weekend.

Turn 2: Fleet Feet

Speed demons of the sole-connected variety can look forward to another inaugural fall event, Daytona Beach Half Marathon on Oct. 26. This 13.1-mile race starts where most Daytona Beach races do – at Daytona International Speedway. It then proceeds through the streets and along the beach for a scenic, sea-breezed half-mile run.

Runners cross the finish line where cars and motorcycles have for more than 50 years – back at the Speedway. The city welcomes between 600 to 1,000 athletes from throughout Florida to compete in the run's 12 age divisions.

Turn 3: Cultural Curve

For a detour into Daytona Beach's artsy side, hit some of its highly applauded theatrical performances, museums and cultural events.

The Sixth Annual Daytona Beach Film Festival will showcase some of the year's best independent and international film releases from Sept. 18-21. For your dose of visual arts, there's a new reason to visit the Museum of Arts and Sciences (MOAS) this fall. The Children's Wing is expanding to an entire new museum devoted to hands-on scientific experimentation. The bright and colorful Charles and Linda Williams Children's Museum opens Nov. 21.

Earlier in November, two festivals celebrate art and Greek culture respectively. The Guild of MOAS hosts the Halifax Art Festival the weekend of Nov. 1-2. The festival brightens the shores of the Halifax River with a downtown art show and competition that draws more than 200 artists from around the continent and beyond.

Add some "opa" to your Daytona Beach getaway at the Daytona Beach Greek Festival, Nov. 13-16. St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church presents the traditional dance, arts and most importantly – food – of Greece.

If ever there's a time, a season and a reason to drive your wheels to Daytona Beach, this is definitely it.

To plan your own fall getaway to Daytona Beach, call 800-544-0415 or visit www.daytonabeach.com. Through Nov. 30, take advantage of deep discounts and other specials offered by Daytona's Beach's Fall Beach Getaways program.